Bay Creek Soundings August 2020

The Official Newsletter of Bay Creek, Cape Charles, Virginia

In This Issue:

Development Update Sales & Construction Update

August 2020 | Issue 6

“We live at the edge of the miraculous.” ~ Henry Miller

Bringing the Best Home Virginia Living's 2020 'Best of Virginia' Awards Bay Creek Employee Spotlight: Zach Pfingst Bay Dreaming Perfect Getaway on the Bay Revisiting A Favorite Destination Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca

Bay Creek Soundings is published regularly by Bay Creek.

Drop us a line at info@BayCreekLife.com or call toll free 844.620.2900 Or you can always see us at BayCreekLife.com

Here in Cape Charles, we have an interesting perspective about being ‘at the edge’— it’s probably because of our fortuitous location right on the edge of these glorious United States. We’re used to being a quick paddle from the vast Atlantic. Some of us even start to feel a little ‘cramped’ when our travels take us too far inland. From our waterfront perch here at Bay Creek, we can dip our toes in the Bay and keep our eyes on tomorrow.

Now, we’re on the edge of another season here on the Eastern Shore, as well as in our community. And while a few weeks until the official start of Fall may feel like a lifetime at the moment, the new season of growth and development at Bay Creek is happening right now!

Read more inside on next page

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August 2020 | Issue 6

...“at the edge of miraculous” continued from cover

We’ve been hard at work creating the first stages of the newly re-imagined Bay Creek for some months now and we’re excited to say that the best is on the horizon. In this issue, we talk with David Brannon of Preserve Communities about exciting plans for the Nature Preserve at Bay Creek. You’ll get the latest on trails, improvements and conservation efforts. Our Director of Sales, Jack Madden, shares news about the healthy pace of sales, and we’ll introduce you to new Bay Creek owners Lance and Stephanie Marine, whose new homesite at the edge of the Bay is an absolute beauty.

We’re also happy to announce that Cape Charles edged out the competition like never before in Virginia Living’s 2020 Best of Virginia Awards. It was a record-breaking year for the fantastic businesses of Cape Charles. We’ll tell you more about who won and what it means for our town.

Bay Creek is still in full summer swing with neighbors walking along the sandy beaches, setting out on the trails and visiting those (awardwinning!) shops in lovely Cape Charles. As you enjoy this latest edition of Soundings, we invite you to consider the beauty of an authentic, joy-filled life with family and friends, nestled along the edge of the sparkling Chesapeake Bay. Until next time, ~ The Bay Creek Team

Soundings

Development

UPDATE

The designers, planners and tradespeople who are helping bring the re-imagined Bay Creek to life have been busy this summer. With on-the-ground construction and improvements ongoing, continued development of future projects, and a full schedule for continued work this fall, Bay Creek’s new vision is becoming more evident with every passing week.

This month, we spoke with David Brannon, Executive Vice President, Land Planning, for Preserve Communities to learn more about what’s complete, what’s in progress, and what’s next.

Landscaping Among other responsibilities, David Brannon helps conceptualize and manage landscaping at Bay Creek. “As residents and guests can see, we are continuing to enhance the landscape throughout the community,” says David. “…from improvements at the Father’s Legacy pond up front to the Coach House area and Palmer Drive.”

Landscaping enhancements at the Fathers Legacy pond are now complete. At the Coach House, the initial phase is now complete and additional planting of trees and shrubs will be added this fall as the weather turns cooler.

If you’ve driven down Palmer Drive lately, you may have already seen some of the latest work in the form of beautiful, new sod, which will be fully complete at the end of August. Trees and additional plant material will be added to Palmer Drive this fall.

More enhancements are slated along Bay Creek Parkway, further down Palmer Drive, and around amenity areas. David says the efforts reflect the philosophy of ‘less is more’ and ‘addition by subtraction’.

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“We will continue to work with the Property Owners Association to remove trees and shrubs that are not performing, and bring in clean lines with sod and mulch,” says David. “This allows the eye to be drawn to all the natural beauty that Bay Creek has to offer. The golf courses, creeks, ponds, and the Chesapeake Bay are our features, and we believe the landscape should complement them.”

At the pool, the slide has been replaced and plans are currently being drawn to enhance the splash pad. This will join the recently completed upgrade to the Life Center, which included approximately $100,000 of new state of the art fitness equipment.

Bringing the Life Center to Life The Life Center Pool area will be receiving an impressive overhaul in the coming months.

Beyond lovely plantings, the Life Center’s pool area will receive a major revamp which will debut next spring. David says of the new, guest-centered improvements: “There will be a lot more outdoor seating, both covered and open, a picnic pavilion, more hardscape, and wonderfully furnished gathering spaces.”

The new landscape plan also thoughtfully includes leaving open space to accommodate food trucks and outdoor grilling during special events.

Trails Connecting the Community with Nature One of the most sweeping and dramatic enhancements to Bay Creek is the new trail system and activation of the nature preserve.

Though the Preserve area is the major focus currently, David explains that the new trails in this area will also tie into existing trails in the community such as those around Plantation Pointe. Bay Creek will have a totally integrated trail system throughout the entire community— encompassing trails, sidewalks, and even the golf cart path to Cape Charles.

Avid Trails® is creating a hierarchy of trails throughout the Preserve area. “Some of these trails will be accessible by golf cart and will lead to select destinations within the Preserve,” says David.

“But most of them will be for walking and hiking, or bicycling.”

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Development

UPDATE continued

The majority of these trails will be pedestrian friendly and free of motorized vehicles. “We will have named trails, beginning at a main kiosk gateway that will originate from the Coach House

parking area,” says David. “From there, trails will stretch down the existing cart path past former Hole #11 and set out into the Preserve area,” he adds.

Setting out on the trails will be an everyday adventure for mind, body, and soul. Winding among stunning natural beauty, the trails will have interpretive signage that identifies native plants and trees. It will also offer information on pollinator gardens, aquaculture in the area and what type of bird life trail-goers are likely to encounter on their journey.

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The trails will, of course, be open for members and guests to enjoy on their own. But Bay Creek will also offer guided activities. “With the help of NALT (North American Land Trust) and Joe Ferher, who will be our on-call naturalist, we will be offering different types of nature hikes, kayak tours and programming in this area,” says David.

Joe Fehrer is retiring from the Nature Conservancy and is a resident of Cape Charles.

He has lived on the Eastern Shore for the last 30 years and will be leading various kinds of hikes REED CLUSTER and trail walks here at Bay Creek.

Aluminum box sleeve with automotive paint finish Bay Creek “Reed Cluster” logo detail Weathering cedar or cypress post Aluminum panel printed with UV inks

The Bay Creek trails will ultimately be a system of interconnected loops and destination spurs.

Because the trail system will be so vast, there will be mile markers and station numbers throughout so trail-goers can share their location, should they need assistance while in the Preserve.

“Soon, we’ll have a road built to the Preserve area so you can drive there by car and access the launching point for the trail system at the future Base Camp. The trails will coincide with the existing golf cart path and then will venture off, in and out of the trees, and along the shorelines,” says David. “These trails will emerge from the woodlands into meadows, where we’ll be doing some plantings for pollinator gardens.”

The trails are a key component in the new vision for Bay Creek. Preserve Communities is committing approximately $150,000 to trail development this fall and into the first quarter of 2021. David says a good amount of trail work will be accomplished in the winter months.

INTERPRETIVE DISPLAY

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Development

UPDATE continued There are so many scenic waterways and peaceful creeks throughout the community, and a responsibly planned blueway system can allow all residents to access that experience.

The ultimate goal is to have both blueway kayak trails and greenways throughout the Preserve. Bay Creek naturalist, Joe Fehrer, will lead kayak tours on the blueways as well as nature hikes and walks.

Restoring Habitats, Enriching the Experience

Exploring by Water on Blueways The extensive trail system isn’t the only area of Bay Creek’s Preserve that will offer activities and programming for residents. Base Camp, the outdoor recreation hub within the Preserve, will offer a kayak launch point which David says he hopes to have ready by next spring. There will also be an outdoor picnic pavilion there.

Community garden areas will be accessed from this location as well.

“We are hoping to tie the Preserve trails into a blueway trail system for kayaking,” David says. “We are looking at developing plans to put in buoys that will help guide kayakers along the waterways,” he adds.

“One of the unique things about Preserve Communities is the diverse backgrounds of the individuals who make up the team,” explains David. “I’m a land planner and landscape architect by schooling and trade, and a partner in the development. I work with a team of 3D visualization artists, engineers, and landscape architects who help take visions into real-world plans.”

“We also tie in a professional level of conservation,” says David. “This includes forestry management specialists and naturalists.”

Preserve Communities is working with the North American Land Trust (NALT) on a comprehensive conservation management plan for Bay Creek.

Preserve has tapped Monty Wooten, of Greenleaf Forest Management to create a plan for best forestry practices, and Mike Sprague of Trout Headwaters, Inc., is helping on the plan for mitigation and buffering of the wetlands.

“This blueway would start alongside the site of the “This is a team who is passionate about conservation future Beach Club and would have multiple put and creating truly exceptional communities among in / take out spots along the way including at Base nature,” says David.

Camp and near Plantation Pointe”, says David.

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It is this commitment that has led Preserve Communities to pursue a bold comprehensive plan for protecting the precious habitats around Bay Creek.

“We have just been approved for a mitigation bank in the Preserve area,” says David. “From farming and irrigation over the years, impacted dams have occurred. We will be able to open that up and create tidal wetlands where they once were long ago,” he adds.

An Authentic Eastern Shore Lifestyle Preserve Communities is deeply committed to water quality, wildlife habitat and flora and fauna.

Ultimately, this commitment enables residents to enjoy their best life in a beautiful and responsibly planned community.

As Executive Vice President of Land Planning for Preserve Communities, David is pleased to be part of the cohesive team working toward this vision.

“We want to create a community where the This plan will also restore parts of the shoreline to its natural habitat, as it existed prior to farming and activities and the mindset that make up the lifestyle are able to cross socioeconomic and golf existing. “We very much believe in the idea of geographic disparities,” says David. “…where saving the Bay as a motto and we are committed to you can live in the present and be aware of your doing our part,” says David. “The buffers we create around these wetlands will help filter and clean the surroundings, and where community outreach is easily within reach to all residents.” water sources and protect natural resources.”

David says the mitigation will allow them to create more tidal wetlands, increase the wetland buffers, create better habitat for wildlife, and enhance the living shorelines to help filter stormwater runoff resulting in a cleaner Bay.

It all works together— every improvement, every new amenity, every acre preserved, and every tree planted—to solidify the re-imagined Bay Creek, for the families who will call it home.

Soundings

Sales& Construction UPDATE

After a June and July that were ones for the record books for tours and sales activity, August had a lot to live up to here at Bay Creek—and it certainly has! We’re pleased to report that this month, the trend continues with development and new home activity proving robust in every way. Bay Creek Director of Sales, Jack Madden, fills us in on the latest.

Palmer Lake Villas Break Ground

Homesites & Homes

The Palmer Lake Villas, perched along the 12th and 13th holes of the Arnold Palmer Signature Course, have now broken ground. With 24 reservations, Phase One is nearly sold out.

Interest continues to be high for these elegant, low-maintenance residences with sweeping lake and golf course views.

Summer is always an active time in our community. Warm-weather activities like kayaking, splashing in the Bay waters and hunting for shells on the beach are now joined by families hunting for their ideal future home at Bay Creek.

“The First Phase has had enormous interest,” says Jack. “Now, with this month’s groundbreaking, people can really see things taking shape…it’s exciting.”

To meet additional demand, Phase Two of the Palmer Lake Villas will be coming soon.

Bay Creek’s bayfront homesites boast some of the most awe-inspiring views around. It’s no wonder that families are choosing to create ‘home’ on these picture-perfect properties.

“We have contracted two additional bayfront homesites recently. Now we currently have only three bayfront homesites available,” says Jack.

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Activity Everywhere “We have activity happening everywhere,” says Jack.

“Bayside Village is extremely busy right now but we’re enjoying a lot of activity in Plantation Pointe, and really, all over the community.”

As for who’s looking at Bay Creek, “We’re seeing many multi-generational families come in. In addition to the steady interest of empty-nester retirees, we are engaging young families that see everything Bay Creek has to offer,” Jack explains. “and are getting excited thinking about the interesting ways they can live, work and play at Bay Homesites that are just off the water among Creek. In terms of where our clients are coming woodlands and golf are moving, too. “We’ve sold from; the Atlantic Seaboard, Tidewater, and several interior homesites over the last few weeks,” Hampton Roads are leading the charge. Regarding says Jack. “It’s nice to see people find that ideal increase in interest and activity, “People are really location and start thinking about building their excited about the new vision for the property,” says dream home.”

Jack. “The future Beach Club, the new Avid Trails, the enhancements that Preserve Communities has “Over the last 30 days, we have sold a total of nine made…it’s creating a lot of enthusiasm.” homesites,” reports Jack. “We’re also pleased to share that we’ve just contracted an incredible With healthy homesite sales, construction, and onsite creekfront homesite in Plantation Pointe.” activity, this summer is proving to be ‘a hot one.’

“I think people are sensing the urgency now because homesites are being sold and you’re seeing a lot of construction movement,” Jack adds.

“People feel that energy and excitement.”

Sharing Bay Creek with so many guests this summer has been inspiring for the Bay Creek team. We have especially enjoyed helping new owners discover their ‘place on the Bay’ and we look forward to seeing future neighbors out and about in the community.

In Bayside Village, the Smith Island Cottage designed by Allison Ramsey Architects and built

by Gateway Builders is now under contract. The new Cobb House Retreat and The Mockhorn home plans are generating strong interest as well.

We invite you to plan a visit to Bay Creek. Tour inspiring homes and homesites, explore our nature preserves, waterways and interconnected trails, and imagine beautiful days on the Bay at your family’s Bay Creek retreat. Click here to learn more.

Soundings

Bringing“The Best” Home We love everything about living in Cape Charles, on ‘Virginia’s Cape.’ Now, we have a rather lovely crown to go with our ‘Cape’— a record 27 ‘Best of Virginia’ awards from Virginia Living’s annual competition—wow!

Every year, Virginia Living magazine holds its ‘Best of Virginia’ awards. They ask Virginia Living readers to vote for their ‘bests’ across the five regions of Virginia. As Virginia Living states, “The more than 40,000 ballots cast let us know where to find the best our state has to offer, from the best movie theater in Southwest Virginia to the best food festival in the Shenandoah Valley.”

Cape Charles was, in fact, one of the winningest towns in the state, more than tripling the number of awards it won last year! In the Eastern region, Cape Charles beat out bigger cities like Virginia Beach and Norfolk for the number of top accolades.

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CAPE CHARLES MAKES A RECORD SHOWING IN VIRGINIA LIVING’S 2020 ‘BEST OF VIRGINIA’ AWARDS

“I think that speaks to the enthusiasm of the people of Cape Charles and the affection that people in the town and around the state have for Cape Charles,” says Mindy Kinsey, editor of Virginia Living.

Because the magazine’s ‘Best of Virginia’ awards are determined by reader vote, they’re a good metric of how people feel about the places they go and the businesses they frequent.

“It’s much more meaningful to have actual customers and visitors vote than it would be for a small committee to choose winners.

Readers are choosing based on very deep experiences they have with those businesses,” Mindy says.

Karen Zamorski, Director of Cape Charles Main Street, is excited about what these awards say about our town, and the new visitors and potential residents they may attract.

“More people are discovering Cape Charles and they’re surprised how much is going on here—from food and history to shopping and more…Cape Charles is this little gem,” says Karen.

“There is no small town on the Eastern Shore like Cape Charles where a visitor can enjoy 27 ‘Best of Virginia’ winners in less than a foursquare mile space!” proudly says Karen.

“These awards are a great opportunity for us to encourage people to come for a daytrip or weekend to experience some our awardwinning places.”

“We want to give a voice to readers across the state, and really, across the country—we do have some votes from outside Virginia. The ‘Best of Virginia’ awards give people a chance to recognize their favorite businesses where they live and where they vacation,” explains Mindy.

“A lot of our day trippers come from the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area. We also attract visitors from Richmond, Northern Virginia, and even Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey,” she explains.

This year, the businesses of Cape Charles made a magnificent showing and reminded us here at Bay Creek how fortunate we are to live in such a diverse and vibrant community.

Meredith Lusk, owner and artist at Moonrise Jewelry, voted ‘Best Fine Jewelry Store,’ counts many of these out of town and out of state visitors as her loyal customers.

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Bringing“The Best” Home

continued

This year’s 27 awards for Cape Charles businesses are impressive by any measure—and exciting, too!

From restaurants, to wedding venues, to ice cream shops (Brown Dog, anyone?), and hotels, the winners are diverse.

“We are humbled and proud that our boutique hotel was chosen by the readers of Virginia Living as Best of Virginia,” say David and Kathryn Gammino, owners of Hotel Cape Charles.

Moonrise Jewelry

“We have vacationers who return every year. They bring friends and family into the store and love introducing them to us,” says Meredith. “And we love getting to know them.”

“Here in Cape Charles, we have a lot of unique independent businesses that go the extra mile to offer a personal touch to each customer,” says Meredith. “Many businesses in Cape Charles have owners onsite, and they’re an integral part of the day to day workings.”

“Returning visitors walk through Cape Charles and share the places that are special to them with their friends,” she adds. “We are fortunate to have customers with incredible loyalty. It’s very special,” says Meredith.

No doubt, Cape Charles is, indeed, special.

“We’re doing things here that other areas of Virginia aren’t,” Meredith adds. “Being a smaller destination beach town, we’re not overgrown with chain stores as some beach towns are. That gives Cape Charles a unique charm. The hospitality people experience here adds to that feeling, too,” she says.

Colleen and Gene Kelly received a ‘Best of’ award for their charming pub on Mason Avenue. “We at Kelly’s Gingernut Pub are extremely happy to have received this award for ‘Best Bar Ambience’ in our region,” says Gene. “We’re now in our fifteenth year in Cape Charles, and we look forward to many more. We’re thankful to all of our customers old and new for their wonderful support!”

Suzanne Golibart, owner of Periwinkles Consignment Boutique, voted ‘Best Consignment Shop,’ is enjoying her fourth year as a ‘Best of’ winner. “The first year, I couldn’t believe I had so

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As for being the ‘Best Consignment Shop’ in the extensive Eastern region which includes 22 counties and covers Chesapeake, Norfolk, Williamsburg, and almost all the way up Virginia’s east coast, “I feel really fortunate to be part of the Cape Charles business community as we continue to grow and meet the needs of our locals and visitors. And to be among these 27 winners, it’s humbling,” she says.

Periwinkles Consignment Boutique

many fans!” laughs Suzanne. “People rose to the occasion and it was a validation of all the hard work that our Periwinkles’ Team puts in.”

Suzanne credits her amazing team of ladies at Periwinkles and her loyal customers and consignors for the shop’s success. “My Team welcomes each person as they arrive and provides over the top customer service. We are really fortunate to have almost 1,000 consignors now continuing to bring us an incredible supply of beautiful items,” she says.

“I think it’s a revealing testament to Cape Charles and the hard work businesses are putting in to provide the types of dining, shopping and recreational experiences that our customers want,” Suzanne adds. “It’s energizing and rewarding to be on the upswing of Cape Charles.”

Karen Zamorski of Cape Charles Main Street says that their organization is passionate about helping others discover that special energy.

Cape Charles Main Street is participating in Virginia Tourism’s ‘WanderLove’ initiative, a campaign that invites people to explore Virginia via road trip adventures and will highlight

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Bringing“The Best” Home

continued

“outdoor recreation, hidden gems, small towns and Virginia’s unique roadside attraction, LOVEworks,” per Virginia Tourism Commission.

We here at Bay Creek can’t think of a better road trip destination than Cape Charles.

“It’s one of those unique places…there aren’t big amusement parks or activities of that sort here,” says Karen. “This is the place where families come to spend more time with their kids and have that unique family experience.”

“We came years ago just for vacation with our kids.

We bought a place at Bay Creek as a second home, and as our kids grew up, they got used to being here,” Karen remembers. “Now that they’re on their own, they love coming back to Cape Charles,” Karen adds.

At Bay Creek, we believe the businesses and community members who add to the charm and authenticity of Cape Charles are second to none.

And, awards aside, the welcoming, comfortable feeling of our close-knit community is a prize in itself.

The Bay Creek team offers our thanks to all Cape Charles businesses for making our town an incredibly special place to call home, and a special congratulations to the 27 exceptional businesses who have been named Virginia Living’s ‘Best of Virginia.’ We couldn’t agree more!

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CAPE CHARLES’ ‘BEST OF VIRGINIA’ EASTERN REGION WINNERS: Bay Creek Resort & Club Best Golf Course At Altitude Gallery Best Art Gallery Hotel Cape Charles Best Hotel Brown Dog Ice Cream Best Ice Cream Shop The Shanty, 2 wins Best Outdoor Dining, Best Seafood Restaurant

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub Best Bar with the Best Atmosphere Bay Haven Inn Best Bed & Breakfast Cape Charles Coffee House Best Coffee Shop or Roaster Kiptopeke State Park Best Hiking or Biking Trail Moonrise Jewelry Best Fine Jewelry Store

Buskey Cider on the Bay Best Cidery

Peach Street Books Best Book Store

Cape Charles Beach Best Tourist Attraction

Blue Heron Realty Co. Best Real Estate Firm

Cape Charles Brewing Co. Best Brewery

Periwinkles Consignment Boutique Best Consignment Shop

Cape Charles Candy Company Best Chocolatier Hook @ Harvey Best Restaurant Cape Charles Distillery, 2 wins Best Cocktails, Best Distillery Cape Charles Historic District Best Downtown Shopping Central Park Best Playground Coastal Baking Co. Best Bakery Historic Palace Theater Best Historic Theater

Brown Dog Ice Cream

Cape Charles Candy Company

Hotel Cape Charles

The Oyster Farm Best Wedding/Special Event Venue Cape Charles Town Harbor & Marina Best Marina Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek Best Winery (Machipongo)

The Oyster Farm

Blue Crow Antique Mall Best Antiques (Painter) Jeff Klingel Landscape Best Landscape Design (Eastville) The Shanty

Soundings

Bay Creek Employee SPOTLIGHT Meet ZACH PFINGST

Head Golf Pro at Bay Creek If you’re a fan of golf, you likely remember that legendary moment in 1986 when a 46-year old Jack Nicklaus came from behind and won the Masters, as the world watched. A kid named Zach in Southampton, Virginia, saw it, too, and still remembers that incredible feeling.

“My dad and I watched Jack Nicklaus win the ’86 Masters on TV,” remembers Zach Pfingst, Head Golf Pro at Bay Creek. “It was amazing. Then, the next day, my dad took me out and we played golf.”

Zach quickly learned to love the game and excel at it as a youth. He went on to become an All American at North Greenville University in South Carolina during his college years, starting all four years at the Division 2 school.

Golf instruction is one of the many things Zach does very well. His easygoing personality (and endless knowledge) also makes him a great source for just plain old good advice when it comes to playing your best.

After working at The Cliffs for some time after college, he headed back a little closer to home, becoming the Assistant Golf Pro at Bay Creek in 2001. Then in 2008, Zach accepted the role of Head Golf Professional.

Asked what his favorite part of the game is, Zach’s answer is simple: “I just love being outside. To me, golf is the best game you can play,” he says. “It’s nature, it’s sports, and it’s also very social.”

Zach has a commitment to the game of golf and the people who love it. And it’s evident in everything he does here at Bay Creek.

“I love interacting with people,” says Zach. “And I truly enjoy giving lessons and clinics.”

His affinity for being with fellow golfers, members and guests makes him especially well-suited for another one of his key responsibilities. “I love running events for people,” Zach shares. “It’s just a lot of fun. Groups and member events…people get a lot of joy out of those kinds of things.”

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“Our Member-Guest Tournament is coming up soon,” he says. “And the King and Bear Fall Tournament is set for the first weekend in November. It’s going to be a very large event— about 180 players,” he adds.

This year, participants will be either Members, a guest of a Member, or a stay-and-play guest.

Whether it’s a tournament or a round with a few good friends, there’s always something for people to enjoy on the courses at Bay Creek.

As new developments and improvements continue at Bay Creek, Zach is excited by what he’s seeing.

“The course is looking better than it has in a very long time,” he says. “The cart path work, the attention to detail, it’s definitely noticeable.”

Zach’s interaction with members and guests echoes this sentiment. “People really do appreciate seeing money put back into the courses,” he explains. “It’s only getting better every time they move forward with more improvements. It just gets better and better.”

a Qualified East Coast Flats Fly Fishing Guide. He enjoys operating a charter boat and specializes in shallow water sight fishing on the Lower Eastern Shore of Virginia. He also enjoys running Eco Cruises along the Barrier Islands, marshes and creeks, and sharing the importance of this rare ecosystem with his guests.

Zach recently led a charter for the editor in chief of The Virginia Sportsman magazine. They brought in an enormous tarpon, which is rare for this far north.

Zach and the fishing excursion will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Virginia Sportsman.

Whether navigating the Eastern Shore waters or helping a golfer make their way to peak performance, it seems Zach often finds himself where folks are having fun. And that’s just the way he likes it. He thrives on helping people enjoy the pastimes they love.

As a lover of the outdoors, Zach believes the creation of the new nature areas and trails at Bay Creek are a net positive, too. “These areas are allowing people to do things that weren’t able to be done here before,” he explains. “The walking trails, the fishing…and when they add the kayak and paddleboard launch, it’s going to open a lot of new avenues for enjoying the outdoors.”

“There are so many people with different interests here at Bay Creek. They like to go fish on the pond, or ride their bikes on the trails,” says Zach.

As for varied interests, when Zach isn’t following his passion for golf as Bay Creek Golf Pro, he enjoys taking people out on the water for fishing and adventure. He is Coast Guard Certified and is

“I love seeing people getting out there on the course at Bay Creek enjoying themselves,” Zach smiles. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Thank you, Zach, for making the golf experience at Bay Creek second to none.

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BayDreaming A YOUNG VIRGINIA FAMILY DISCOVERS THEIR PERFECT GETAWAY ON THE BAY

Lance and Stephanie Marine love Cape Charles. The couple, who reside in Great Falls, Virginia, with their three children, began vacationing here almost a decade ago and have often entertained the idea of owning a residence here.

“When we first visited, we started in Cape Charles,” says Stephanie Marine. “We stayed at Hotel Cape Charles, then we stayed at the marina, then the West Indies inspired homes in Kings Bay, and then, finally, Bay Creek itself,” she recalls.

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“We fell in love with Cape Charles the first time we visited,” says Stephanie. “And with every visit, we grew to love the place even more,” she admits.

“But we didn’t discover the ‘other side’ where Bay Creek is for a while, for some reason.”

That changed when they were introduced to Linda Buskey. “Linda rolled out a big map and showed us Bay Creek and the beach there. We had lunch at the Coach House Tavern. Lance loves golf so that was really nice to see, too. Then we saw the shore.”

“The beaches were even nicer, and there were less people,” remembers Stephanie. “And it was all just a quick golf cart ride to town. It was great.”

Last year when Stephanie turned 40, the Marine family celebrated that milestone with what might just be one of the best birthday presents we’ve ever heard of:

access from their home in Great Falls. It’s also the perfect backdrop for ‘building a family legacy’.

“I love that the kids can just go out on their bikes in the morning, and the beach is such a short walk,” Stephanie says. “It’s just such a beautiful little beach enclave here in Bayside Village.”

“As a family, being here means totally solid family time,” says Stephanie. She and Lance’s three children, 11-year old Lincoln, 8-year old Gabe and 5-year old daughter, Lucia, already feel at home in Bay Creek.

“It’s not too far from town, and there are trails nearby, and you can ride your bike and it’s really awesome,” says Lincoln.

“Lance said, ‘I have a fun idea,’ and he suggested renting a house in Bay Creek for the entire summer. And we did it!” she says. “We talked about buying or building a home here every time we’d visit. And this was a great way to try things out.”

“We stayed all summer. And it was…amazing,” she recalls.

“During that summer, some friends came and visited us here. It was fun to see them enjoy Bay Creek. And they started to understand why we’re so connected to this place. Some of them have children who are younger than ours and they were so amazed,” says Stephanie.

Now the Marine family has purchased a homesite and is building a second home in Bayside Village.

The attraction of a home at Bay Creek is multifaceted: there’s the safety of the community for the kids, the incredible beaches, and the easy

The Marines’ kids love every minute of their time here. What’s their favorite thing to do? “Brown Dog Ice Cream!” laughs Stephanie. “Really though, they love it all. They like getting out in the golf cart— golf cart life is the best life! They love to just get in the cart, talk and ride around town.”

“We’re an active family, so they like to standup paddle board, kayak…they like to fish. And the

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BayDreaming continued new nature trails, they enjoy those,” Stephanie says.

As a runner, she appreciates the trails, too. “We all really love it here.”

will be designed to blend with the feel of the neighborhood.”

“The views from this homesite are just amazing,” “Plus, the sunsets are amazing!” adds her son, Lincoln. adds Stephanie.

“Last summer we actually painted some of them.”

But it isn’t just the incredible views that make this “I feel like we roll into Cape Charles, and then Bay place special: “We’ve met more people in Bayside Creek, and we all just audibly, ‘deep sigh.’ We’re Village where we stayed this summer and last just so much more relaxed here,” smiles Stephanie. summer. I just love the friendliness of it. That also adds to the feeling of wanting this for my kids—to It was a family choice to build a house at Bay have this beautiful vacation spot that’s also a warm Creek, and every member of the Marine family has community. That was really important to us in been involved. “The kids sat down with us and the choosing this place for a second home,” Stephanie builder to start drawing up house plans. It was very explains. much a family decision,” explains Stephanie.

The Marines are hopeful that they’ll be in their “The lot we’ve selected really gives us the best of new home in time to enjoy another memorable everything. It feels secluded and private. We can Eastern Shore summer with the family at Bay Creek build a beautiful home here, and you can see the in 2021. water,” she says.

“That’s the dream,” says Stephanie smiling.

From their new home, Stephanie, Lance and their children can be at the beach in about two minutes.

“We can just load up the golf cart with all the beach gear and be there in no time,” Stephanie says. “The beaches are gorgeous. We feel like we have our own private beach. It’s such a special feeling.”

As for building their new retreat in Bayside Village, Stephanie and Lance, who both love houses, decorating, and architecture, are excited about their newest endeavor. “We’ve never built a house before so it’s really fun,” explains Stephanie. “Thus far, it’s very exciting!”

Their Bayside Village home, currently in design, will be big on windows “so you can focus on the water,” says Stephanie. “We’re feeling really modern for the interior,” she says. “And the outside

Our Bay Creek family warmly welcomes Stephanie, Lance, Lincoln, Gabe and Lucia to our community. May your family’s new Bay Creek retreat be everything you’ve dreamed it would be.

August 2020 | Issue 6

Revisiting a FavoriteDestination COMING HOME TO AMBROGIA CAFFÉ & ENOTECA FOR A TASTE OF ITALY IN CAPE CHARLES Cape Charles is an eclectic sort of experience. At first glance, you see a classic Eastern Shore town, perched brightly along the sparkling waters of the Chesapeake Bay. But when you look a little deeper, all sorts of unexpected delights and experiences present themselves.

Ambrogia, Dr. Cristina Carollo, is a powerhouse of an artisan who created Ambrogia by following her dreams. The Milan, Italy, native with a PhD in Oceanography originally came to Cape Charles to serve as a Senior Coastal Scientist at The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Coast Reserve. After a time, she realized she wanted to begin a new chapter and follow another one of her passions…

One such captivating treasure is Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca, nestled in Cape Charles’ iconic downtown district. Celebrating its first year in business on May The self-admitted ‘foodie’ decided to revisit the joy 1, 2020, Ambrogia is an incredibly authentic Italian she remembered from the Italian food of her youth, experience, right here in the heart of Cape Charles. opening Ambrogia Caffé and Enoteca in 2019.

In the past year, from its warm, welcoming dining room on Mason Avenue, Ambrogia has given people the gift of escape, comfort, and joy by way of extraordinary Italian food and personal service.

Proprietor and visionary behind

A walk inside the dining room is a multi-level experience: first, the intimate, cozy space makes you feel at ease, with warm colors and simple, honest décor. Next, the rich aromas slowly greet you. Fresh, flavorful ingredients perfume the air with

Soundings

Revisiting a FavoriteDestination continued clams, prosciutto e fichi (Parma ham with fresh figs from Copper Cricket Farm in Machipongo), and homemade fettuccine with basil cream and butterpoached shrimp. You can expect new, palate-pleasing creations every time you visit.

a sensory experience like no other. Locally sourced ingredients, freshly made pasta, expertly prepared meats and hand selected cheeses…it excites and soothes at the same time. Guests often actively feel themselves relax and settle in, as if they’ve just arrived at the home of a dear friend for a meal.

“Ambrogia is not only about food. It’s also about the experience,” says Cristina. “You come in and experience a different atmosphere. Guests step into Ambrogia to be transported to Italy.”

The past year has been a whirlwind of new food creations, new friends and customers, and a healthy serving of warm, community support. In 2020, as restaurants the world over have worked to continue to serve their patrons, as well as keep their doors open, Cristina has continued to innovate and lean into the work—and art—of giving people good food.

How good? Here’s a sampling of the unique pairings and dishes enjoyed recently at Ambrogia: farrotto mari e monti with sausage and local

Cristina’s beloved Ambrogia has experienced a bit more of its share of difficulty over the last few months. Despite the unfortunate loss in her work family of brilliant chef John Kohler in an auto accident, and the monthslong restrictions on businesses, the ever-hopeful visionary is more committed than ever to continue her mission.

“John was an extremely talented and creative chef.

We worked on a lot of interesting ideas,” she says.

“Like our beet “ravioli”, which are roasted beets thinly cut, then folded over and stuffed with our home-made ricotta. It is a delicious gluten free option and ideal for vegetarians. We truly miss John and his creations.”

Recently, the former oceanographer turned restauranteur has found herself doing it all— prepping, cooking, cleaning and serving—with the gracious support of her boyfriend, Dr. Keith Johnson, and some loyal friends.

“It’s challenging but it is rewarding,” says Cristina.

“When you make something and it’s your own, and your customers tell you, ‘wow, this is the best dish I’ve ever had here since you’ve opened,’ that is humbling. That is truly something I was striving for.”

August 2020 | Issue 6

Cristina’s goal is grand and yet simple: “I want my customers to always be looking forward to the next meal, and I want their next meal to be even better than what they had before,” she smiles.

“All of my customers have been very supportive and they’re really looking forward to the flavors that we’re creating,” says Cristina. “We had a great response to the last few months, with people saying we are really bringing some beautiful dishes to the table.”

Now, Cristina is excited to announce the addition of a new chef. “I am grateful that I now have Carlton Terry as our chef,” she explains. She plans to work with Carlton to continue some of the ideas she and former chef, John Kohler, were working on, like that intriguing beet ravioli.

What comes next for Ambrogia Caffé and Enoteca?

“In the name of our restaurant, besides my mom’s name, ‘Ambrogia,’ it’s says ‘Caffé and Enoteca,’ which is ‘wine bar’. I want to live up to our name a little more,” explains Cristina.

“We are talking about offering wine flights with food pairings. And, when have events in the future, I would love to focus on regional pairings,” says Cristina. “Italy is divided into 21 regions. In each event, we would feature the local food and wine from one region—Tuscany or Umbria or Sicily, for example,” she explains.

At its heart, Ambrogia Caffé and Enoteca is a place where people can come and feel at ease—via the atmosphere, the flavors, and the experience.

“It’s what’s comforting for me,” Cristina says of the food and environment of Ambrogia. “That’s

been key for me, providing my customers with that experience.”

“At home, a meal is a social experience. And that’s why I’m so proud of our handmade pasta.

It’s made fresh for my customers,” she says. “It’s like grandma used to make pasta at home in old Italian families to share with everyone…I feel that’s what I really want to bring back, the flavor, the experience and the comfort. We’re cooking from scratch just for our guests…so they can truly enjoy it,” Cristina explains.

Even though things have been atypical in the last six months, Ambrogia’s mission has not changed.

“Wherever you are in the United States or in Italy or another country, we’re all in this together,” she says.

Indeed, there’s a bit of Italy still very much alive in that quaint little dining room on Mason Avenue where, for a few incredibly flavorful moments, time stands still and all is right with the world.

Cristina wishes to thank everyone who has helped keep Ambrogia moving forward this year, with special gratitude to her customers and her boyfriend, Dr. Keith Johnson.

Ambrogia Caffé and Enoteca offers up an unforgettable meal and the warmth of authentic Italian cooking and hospitality to all those who enter its doors. We invite you to experience it for yourself.

Experience the Italian delights of Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca: 321 Mason Ave Cape Charles, VA (757) 695-3049 ambrogiacc.com

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